With so much time on our hands the past few years, we’ve spent quite a bit of time dreaming about travel. Once we were vaccinated and travel restrictions were relaxed, we were ready to spin the globe and go.
Since my daughter was just a baby, she’s had a passport. She’d visited 20 countries before the age of 12 and then our international adventures came to an abrupt halt when the pandemic hit.
Eager to visit somewhere new, we settled on Belize, her first visit to Central America. It was also our first international trip together, just the two of us. We decided to leave the boys at home in favor of a girls getaway.
Belize is appealing for lots of reasons – beautiful weather, fascinating history, lush landscapes and easy access from the US. There’s also no need to worry about a language barrier, as English is the official language.
After a dreary Pacific Northwest winter, we were more than ready to pack a bag full of shorts and swimwear and flee to the Caribbean.
Accommodations at Naia Resort and Spa
With just a few days to spend in Belize, we were choosy about our home base. We picked Naia Resort and Spa for its great location in Placencia and its many amenities.
From the moment we stepped into the lobby, we felt at ease, perhaps it was the welcome beverage (topped off with local rum for the adults) or the warm greeting from staff members.
After an easy check-in process, we hopped into a golf cart for a quick tour of the resort (more on the property in a minute) and then taken to our home for the next few days.
Our one-bedroom beachfront bungalow was gorgeous. It had a simple elegance, that felt luxurious, but not stuffy.
It included a living room with a pull-out sofa bed. Although it was just the two of us, the unit would have easily slept a family of four.
There was a kitchenette with small fridge, coffee maker, and hot water kettle. The cupboards were stocked with glasses and tableware for in-room dining.
The bedroom was spacious, with a beautiful wood bed frame. There was a large closet space outfitted with robes, an umbrella and safe. There was a flashlight, too, a thoughtful item that came in handy when walking back from dinner after dark.
The luxury extended into the bathroom with floor to ceiling windows, a deep soaking tub and secluded outdoor shower.
The room had two large Smart TVs and a Bose sound system.
KidTripster Tip: The electrical outlets at Naia are U.S. compatible so you won’t need to pack any adapters.
The craft furnishings and art in each unit are custom-made and locally produced.
There are a variety of units ranging from studio to 3 bedrooms. There’s even an eye-popping 7,000 square-foot beach house that sleeps 15.
Activities at Naia Resort and Spa
Whether you want to relax or prefer to be active, Naia Resort and Spa’s a great choice because it offers both options.
Resort Activities
Among the complimentary resort amenities are bikes for exploring the private 200 acre community by land, as well kayaks and paddle boards for exploring the area by water.
There’s a state-of-the-art fitness center with lagoon views. The yoga and movement studio opens out onto a private yoga lawn. Naia Resort offers yoga classes several times a week.
The pool is centrally located near the bar and restaurant. With a view of the ocean, it’s a lovely place to cool off or relax with a beverage.
Off-Site Excursions
You can book excursions through the front desk. The list of offerings is extensive – ranging from land, to sea, to culture. There are activities for the adventurous – like zip lining and tubing. Scuba and snorkeling are particularly popular, as Belize is a world-class diving destination. Activities for wildlife watchers include getting up-close to manatees, monkeys, and jaguars. And there are cultural options, too, that explore Mayan history.
[Related: Mother-Daughter Getaway: 6 Fun Things We Did in Belize]
Placencia Village
If you want a taste of local life, take the resort shuttle to Placencia Village. It’s approximately a 20-minute ride to the village. From the drop-off area, you can walk the length of town. This is a good place to try some local seafood and enjoy a cocktail on the beach. There are lots of shops and restaurants in the fishing village, many of them located on the “Placencia Sidewalk” which sits parallel to the main highway and the ocean.
KidTripster Tip: If you don’t have a car, Naia resort offers a complimentary shuttle service. It provides transportation to and from the Placencia Airport. The shuttle also takes guests into Placencia Village three times a day.
KidTripster Tip: When dining and shopping in Placencia Village, most vendors accept US dollars. Just be sure that your bills aren’t ripped or torn and don’t contain any writing on them. Vendors will accept clean bills only. If paying in cash, you may receive your change in a combination of US dollars and Belizean dollars. The exchange rate is approximately 2:1. Two BZE dollars equals approximately one US dollar.
Spa Experience at Naia Resort and Spa
Be sure to make time for the spa during your stay. The facility is unlike any other, spread across six acres of secluded forest and lagoon. The spa blends into the environment so well, that were it not for a sign, you’d never know it was there.
There are several over-the-water treatment suites. The spa offers many couples packages, but they can be adjusted for a mother-daughter treatment.
We spent a glorious half day at the spa. Our relaxation journey started with a coconut scrub and wrap, followed by a massage, then a pedicure. We sat by the spa pool to let our toenails dry, sipping on chilled water while the birds chirped around us. It was lovely. The spa offers a true escape from the daily grind.
Dining at Naia Resort and Spa
If you don’t want to leave Naia Resort (and who could blame you?), you really don’t need to. There are two restaurants on property.
You’ll take most of your meals at the Beach Bar and Grill, located by the resort pool. The Beach Bar and Grill serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s casual, but classy with views of the Caribbean. Seating is outdoors, but covered. If you prefer to dine on the beach, there are some tables on the sand.
All guests receive a continental breakfast as part of their stay, which consists of fruit, toast and a beverage. If you want to order a breakfast item off the menu, $10 is credited towards that meal.
Lunch items included things like seafood sliders, shrimp melts, burgers and quesadillas. The Beach Bar and Grill also had an extensive cocktail menu, and lots of fun non-alcoholic drink choices, too.
The Beach Bar and Grill and 1981 serve dinner. 1981 is named after the year that Belize attained its independence. 1981 offers indoor dining. The restaurant was closed during the pandemic, and just reopened in April. It’s a beautiful space.
There are lots seafood entrees featuring fish and shrimp. But there are steak and pasta options, too. There’s typically a nightly special. Some evenings offer a multi-course prix-fixe dining experience. Meals were prepared with fresh, local ingredients. We didn’t have a bad meal!
KidTripster Tip: Naia offers a meal plan at an added cost. Here’s how it works. You can order any breakfast entree, or opt for the continental breakfast. Lunch is one food item (it can be a starter, salad or entree) and a non-alcoholic drink. At dinner, your meal includes a starter, entree, dessert, and a non-alcoholic beverage. Meal plans start at $65 per person, per day.
Getting To Naia Resort and Spa
Naia Resort and Spa is located In Placencia, about 3 hours south of Belize City by car. We met several guests who rented a car at the Belize City airport and drove to the resort. They said it was an easy enough drive. They recommend asking the rental car agency for driving directions, as the GPS may suggest a less-than-desirable route.
A faster way to get to Placencia is by plane. Tropic Air operates several daily flights between Belize City and Placencia. It’s about a 30 minute trip. Tropic Air flies into the international airport (BZE) as well as Belize City’s municipal airport (TZE). So pay attention to where you’re flight is departing from. We had a great experience with Tropic Air. With several flights a day, we were able to arrive in Placencia early and leave late, maximizing our time there.
[Related: What to Know About Traveling with Tropic Air in Belize]
Naia Resort and Spa’s high season is approximately November through April. The low season is May through October. Be sure to check out the resort website for special offers and packages.
KidTripster Tip: I don’t recommend staying in Belize City. It has a reputation for crime, although we were told it was perfectly safe to be out during the day.
We spent two nights in Belize City on the front and back end of our trip. Both of the hotels we stayed at (the Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina and the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza) were clean and safe. Both hotels had nice on-site pools and restaurants, and offered airport shuttle service.
If you need to stay in Belize City, your hotel can book an excursion for you which may be more enjoyable, and safe, than trying to explore the city on your own.
We hired a driver, though the Radisson hotel, to provide round-trip transportation to the Altun Ha ruins which is about 30 miles away from the city.
The writer received complimentary accommodations and meals for purposes of this review. All opinions are her own.
